Lavatory unit



April 1970 G. D. PHILLIPS, JR' 3,508,282

LAVATORY UNIT Filed Dec. '23, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Gerard D. Philli s,Jr. jmflfifw ATTORNEY April 28, 1970 G. D. PHILLIPS, JR ,2

LAVATQRY UNIT Filed Dec. 23. 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet z United States Patent 3,508,282 LAVATORY UNIT Gerard D. Phillips, Jr., Prospect, Ky., assignor to American Standard Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 23, 1966, Ser. No. 604,368

Int. Cl. A47k 1/04 US. Cl. 4166 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a novel plumbing fixture and more particularly, to a lavatory structure capable of receiving a variety of accessories.

Although bathroom lavatories have been in use for hundreds of years, their basic functional designs have not changed substantially. This is despite the fact that lavatories at present have many inherent problems. For example, at present, lavatories are made with openings for a variety of fittings much as a lotion or soap dispenser, water faucets, spray, etc. If it is necessary to stock sinks with the proper number of openings corresponding to the number of accessories to be used. The need for a factory-made opening for each accessory limits flexibility in the selection of accessories, since cost factors preclude the manufacture of other than the most popular items. Since it is virtually impossible for a homeowner to add one or more accessory to a lavatory in his home without actually changing the sink, the homeowner cannot modify the lavatory to suit changing demands.

Furthermore, these accessories generally lie exposed on top of the lavatory counter making them dust collectors and susceptible to splashing by soap and water. Thus, the accessories must be constantly wiped, cleaned and polished in order for the sink as a unit to provide an attrac tive and sanitary appearance.

Another drawback of present day lavatory units is that they are most unsatisfactory for bathroom use because they are not compact. A properly equipped bathroom requires many accessories and storage areas and yet these must occupy as little space as possible without any sacrifice to purpose and utility because as is the usual case, bathrooms are relatively small rooms and therefore space is at a premium.

It has now been found that a solution to the foregoing problems can be achieved through the use of a lavatory having a raised overhanging shelf integral therewith and capable of having any decided number or combination of accessories.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a plumbing fixture, such as a lavatory structure, having a sump section and a raised overhanging shelf. The sump section has walls, the upper periphery of which form a ledge. The overhanging shelf is an integral part of the ledge and included side walls which extend upwardly with respect to the ledge, and a top wall lying parallel to the ledge so as to form a hollow with respect thereto. The overhanging shelf is provided with a plurality of compartments each of which can house an accessory such that the accessories are above and clear of the lavatory ledge or deck, or be used for storage.

The objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be fully understood as the description of "ice the invention proceeds, particularly when taken together with the accompanying drawing where like reference numerals indicate similar parts throughout the several figures and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a plumbing fixture which shows one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a plumbing fixture which shows another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGURE 1, a plumbing fixture 10 is provided with a sump section 12 with an outlet strainer 14 positioned therein. The sump section 10 has walls 16 the upper periphery of which form a ledge 18. Extending upwardly is an overhanging shelf 20. The overhanging shelf 20 has side walls 22 extending upwardly with respect to the ledge 18 and a top wall 24 lying parallel to the ledge 18 so as to form a hollow with respect thereto.

The overhanging shelf 20 is a highly functional, extremely convenient unit which can include several compartments for housing accessories, for example, a spout 26, a hand spray 28, a drain control 30, a single lever control 32, liquid or powder soap or detergent dispensers 34, and a diverter 36 for the spray. These compartments can be provided with a removable cover 38 having a magnetic cover attachment 40.

In another embodiment of the present invention and as shown in FIGURE 2, the overhanging shelf 20 can be provided with an integral fitting pod 42 mounted on the underside of the top wall 24. The pod 42 is provided with a plurality of compartments adapted to house the various accessories of FIGURE 1. An outstanding feature of this pod 42 is that it can be interchanged with others if a housewife wishes to have a different accessory layout. Surveys have shown, that while many of the functions to be performed by a sink are agreed upon by most women, other functions, are very important to many homeowners, but not desired by others. Not only do their wants and needs vary, but also many are looking for a certain degree of individuality and do not want their kitchens to look just like everyone elses. Hence, the interchangeable pod 42 readily satisfies these demands.

As seen in FIGURES 1 and 2, the overhanging shelf 20 allows all the aforementioned accessories to be above and clear of the sink ledge 18 keeping them neat and clean and also providing more counter space. Thus constant maintenance of the accessory fixtures with respect to dust accumulation, splashing from soap and water is avoided or at least substantially reduced.

The general shape of the overhanging shelf is preferably as shown in FIGURE 1 or FIGURE 2. The height of the shelf with respect to the ledge is preferably 3%". However, such dimensions as 3" to 5 are also suitable.

Although the invention has been described in its preferred forms with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred forms has been made only by way of example, and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangements of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A plumbing fixture comprising:

(a) at least one sump section, said sump section having walls, the upper periphery of said walls forming a ledge;

(b) a raised shelf having walls extending upwardly with respect to said ledge and a top wall lying substantially parallel thereto, said shelf hanging over a portion of said sump thereby forming a hollow with respect to the ledge, and

(c) an accessory pod detachably mounted on the underside of said shelf.

2. The plumbing fixture of claim 1 wherein said pod has a plurality of compartments.

3. The plumbing fixture of claim 2 wherein one of said plurality of compartments houses a spout.

4. The plumbing fixture of claim 3 wherein a second of plurality of compartments houses a hand spray.

5. The plumbing fixture of claim 4 wherein a third of plurality of compartments houses a liquid dispenser.

6. The plumbing fixture of claim 5 wherein a fourth of said plurality of compartments houses a single lever control and a drain control.

7. A plumbing fixture comprising:

(a) at least one sump section, said sump section having walls, the upper periphery of said walls forming a ledge;

(b) a raised shelf comprising a single lever control and a drain control, said shelf having walls extending upwardly with respect to said ledge and a top wall lying substantially parallel thereto, said shelf hanging over a portion of said sump thereby forming a hollow with respect to the ledge.

8. A plumbing fixture comprising:

(a) at least one sump section, said sump section having 5 walls, the upper periphery of said walls forming a ledge;

(b) a raised shelf having walls extending upwardly said shelf having a plurality of compartments, one of said plurality of compartments housing a water faucet, and a second of said plurality of compartments housing a hand spray. 9. The plumbing fixture of claim 8 wherein a third of said plurality of compartments houses a liquid dispenser.

10. A plumbing fixture comprising: (a) at least one sump section, said sump section having walls, the upper periphery of said walls forming a ledge;

(b) a raised shelf having walls extending upwardly with respect to said ledge and a top wall lying substantially parallel thereto, said shelf hanging over a portion of said sump thereby forming a hollow with respect to the ledge,

said shelf having a plurality of compartments, said plurality of compartments being provided with removable cover means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 197,879 11/1962 Korol 4-166 X 2,026,804 1/1936 Sterling 4-166 X 2,767,407 10/1956 Weiss 4166 2,878,974 3/1959 Dobkin 4--166-X PATRICK D. LAWSON, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.-R. 

